first date part 2

Left to her own resources, Magdalena dug deep, like trying to remember a second language. “Lift with your legs” – she had learned that working as a hospital aide. Slowly, slowly, she began to lower him, using her legs, somehow managing to scrunch up the shawl to receive his head on the way down. Now she tried to visualize one of those goofy CPR rescue cards. “Open the airway” – wait a minute, someone was actually saying “open the airway”. She complied, loosening his collar and tie, and tilting his head back gently. Looking up, she saw a squadron of men in dark suits approaching platoon-like. They all looked just like Eric. Patrick, the youngest, was dispatched to call 911; the one giving her directions must be Brett, a fourth year medical student. They were flanked by Lee, slightly taller with a thick thatch of chestnut hair, and like them all, a full mustache.

“Give two slow breaths.” She dove into the resuscitation breathing as Brett positioned himself for the compressions.

On the second breath, Eric’s grandfather’s long fingers twined through her curly hair, and, she was positive, received her open mouth with gusto. Struggling for air, she disentangled herself from his embrace and sat back on her knees. Finally, she brought Eric’s face into focus. It was impossible to decipher his expression, but if she had to sum it up, it would be horror. Her lipstick was rubbed garishly around the bottom of her face, her eyes raccoon circles. As she sat up, a sparkly comb tinkled off the end of her hair onto the floor. With what semblance of composure she could muster,she said: “I think he’ll be alright, why don’t you take over here”, standing shakily and smoothing out her rumpled dress.

This would be a good time to freshen up. It was a long way to the ladies room. To get there she had to run the gauntlet of the women in the family, already composing a lifetime of stories to express what had just happened. She set her sights on the bathroom, gave a weak smeary smile, and squared her shoulders.